What a game at the Roig Arena! Barça claimed the opening point of the ACB Finals after a thrilling contest full of momentum swings and drama. The Catalans recovered from a 14-point deficit, with a sensational Clyburn refusing to let Valencia pull away. His late heroics forced overtime, where Barça took control to snatch victory. Xavi Pascual's side have stolen home-court advantage and will now focus on Game 2 of this captivating series.

Unsteady start

Barça's early 2-0 lead proved to be their only advantage of the opening quarter. Valencia controlled the pace and quickly built a double-digit lead, stretching it to 25-13. Two three-pointers from Brizuela provided Barça's main source of offence as the visitors struggled to match the hosts' intensity.

Every Barça basket seemed to be answered by Valencia. Consecutive threes from Parra and Brizuela failed to make a significant dent in the deficit, which reached 14 points midway through the second quarter (40-26). But Barça gradually found their rhythm. Inspired by Laprovittola's playmaking, Punter's shooting and a growing defensive presence, they cut the gap to 40-34 before a late Punter triple reduced the deficit to just three points. Valencia still led 52-47 at half-time, but Barça were firmly back in the contest.

Turnaround

The visitors completed the comeback after the break. Three-pointers from Laprovittola and Clyburn put Barça back in front at 54-57, their first lead since the opening seconds. From there, the game became a shootout, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Shengelia and Marcos helped Barça edge the third quarter 72-75, leaving everything to play for.

The final period followed the same script. Three-point shooting remained Barça's biggest weapon, and baskets from Parra and Laprovittola helped establish an 82-86 lead. Yet Valencia responded again and moved 93-88 ahead with just over two minutes remaining.

With the score tied at 101 and only seconds left, Clyburn produced two huge three-pointers and a spectacular block to keep Barça alive and force overtime.

OT brilliance

Barça looked set to seal victory after opening a four-point gap in overtime, only for Valencia to draw level once more. In the end, Parra's energy proved decisive as the visitors finally prevailed. After a display of resilience and character at the Roig Arena, Barça struck first in a finals series that promises plenty more drama.

MATCH STATS

València Basket, 112
Barça, 113

València Basket: Badio (20), Taylor (13), Key (13), Montero (24), Sako (5), Pradilla (10), De Larrea (9), Moore (2), Cárdenas (5), Costello (9) & Sima (2)
Barça: Marcos (3), Punter (14), Clyburn (21), Shengelia (11), Fall (-), Vesely (8), Cale (7), Brizuela (9), Parra (18), Laprovittola (20), Hernangómez (-) & Núñez (2)

Periods: 25-13; 27-34 // 20-28; 29-26 // 11-12

Referees: Antonio Conde, Martín Caballero & Luis Miguel Castillo

Força Barça